The Portland daily press., 1887-09-02
PORTLAND ASA SUMMER RESORT.
Diamond Cove and other Interesting
Localities.
To the Editor of the Press:

To the Editor of the Press:
To one who has been absent from Port
land for a number of years the changes
which have taken place in the suburbs of the
dear old town of his boyhood are very no.
ticeable. No town in the country has more
attractive surroundings than Portland
Deering, so English like in its aspect, the
green islands clustered about its harbor, the
rock bound shores and green slopes of Cape
Elizabeth, afford variety of charming sites
for residences, summer and winter, beautiful
beyond comparison. Wishing to revisit
Diamond Island and especially Diamond
Cove, the scene of many well remembered
youthful outings, took one pleasant morn
ing, the steamer Isis for the island. AS we
steamed out into the harbor the old familiar
landmarks came to view one by one as they
used to meet our delightful eyes when we
spread our sail to the breeze forty years ago.
There was Martins Point and the green
shores of that gem of the sea, Maekey's Is
land, on the left, and the gray breakwater
with the waves breaking against it on the
right. But what marvel is this? 1 rubbed
my eyes to see if they did not deceive me.
Island is village of beautiful cottages in
the midst of green lawns and backed bv fine
trees.
= long pier. like the one at Flushing or
bfghton beaches, out to welcome us, and
having landed portion of our living freight
we proceeded on our trip round the island.
Ihose picturesque shores which now burst
upon our view, as we encircle this lovely is
land, cannot be found upon the globe, aud
why frivolous fashion should have passed
not 10 In.Nx an. - -
Mount Desert with its long continued dreary
logs, Is inexplicable, unless Providence
wished to preserve Diamond Island for a
better tate, and no donbt it is we'll that it
dld pass by this quiet spot, which an asso-
citation OF gentlemen have secured, not for
the. purpsse of speculation but for their own
residences, in fact, the island has been di-
Vlded into lots, extensive parks laid out and
tne SHORES reserved for the benefit
OF lot-owners, who have already built
upon thelr property, or contemplate
doing so at some future day. But we have
reached Diamond Cove, so well known to all
Portlanders, and here we land at wharf
owned by the Association.
we confess to disappointment at the
| loss OF some OF the fine trees which formerly
adorned the bright shores of the cove; but
still 1t is the same old Diamond Cove with
| All lts natural features preserved, and only
awaiting the hand of improvement to shape
1t into new Paradise, when it will be the
|
on tie coast of New England Our first visit
was to the grand old heeches which which
have been carefully preserved, thank Heav-
en-! upon which the youth of the past were
won't to carve their names, and these inter
| ested us much. Some of them are suggestive.
| Here is IS. B. 1882" cut by some one fifty-
| hve years ago. Could this have been Svl
vester Beckett, whose favorite haunt this
place was? | could hardly doubt it, The
| oldest date appears to be 1880, and the
initial IA" before it is almost oblterated by
time, as indeed the date is; vet It
| IS sufficiently plain to be deciphered
>. A. s., 1884, is another old inscription.
| winch perhaps some one living NAV be able
TO recognlZy. G. A., 1887, and +. A. G.. the
same date, doubtless are mementoes of some
pleasant days picnic at the Cove. We spent
| a pleasant day in wandering about Diamond
| Cove, and taking good look at the beautiful
cottages on the slope towards the city. and
returned in the last boat as the sun began to
decline IN the west, painting the heavens
with glory OF col0r to be seen no where else
| out OF New England. AS we returned city
ward, we resolved to spend another day at
| Diamond Cove at some time in the future.
though, we doubt not it will, perhaps. ere
then have fallen under the hand of improve
ment. Certainly if the boom, as it is called.
ever reaches the conservative ''town by the
sea" Diamond Cove will be one of the places
which Will feel it early. 1t is certainly a
wonder that some one has not already taken
PoSoeSsioh Vi H. SoJoURNER.